🇵🇭 Filipino Cuisine

Tokwa't Manok

Fried Tofu and Chicken in Vinegar

Prep Time 30 min

Servings 4

Difficulty Easy

Calories 332 kcal

Crispy fried tofu cubes and tender poached chicken in a punchy vinegar-soy dipping sauce with onions and chilies — a tangy, crunchy Filipino appetizer and drinking companion.

Ingredients

400g firm tofu, cubed
300g chicken breast
4 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp vinegar (cane or white)
1 large onion, finely diced
3 bird's eye chilies, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
Oil for frying
Salt

Instructions

1 Poach chicken breast in water with bay leaves and peppercorns for 20 minutes. Let cool, then dice into small cubes.
2 Press tofu to remove excess water. Cut into 1-inch cubes and deep-fry until golden and crispy.
3 Make the sauce: combine vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, diced onion, and sliced chilies.
4 Arrange fried tofu and diced chicken on a plate.
5 Pour the vinegar-soy sauce over the top.
6 Toss gently and serve immediately while tofu is still crunchy.

Did You Know?

The original dish uses pork ears, but this chicken version called tokwa't manok has become widely popular as a lighter alternative that is just as addictive with cold drinks.